Check out this teaser from the new book, Elena Chavez by Jeanette Collins.
Chapter One
Deputy Dale Jackson
watched rain course down the windows of the squad car, flow into the gutter to
be carried to the arroyo then on to the Rio Grande. The little New Mexico town
had sweltered in the heat for weeks, but today, clouds had built up over the
mountains and the rain swept through the canyons to drench the dusty streets.
He was relieved to see it, but it gave him a sense of isolation, of being left
behind, and for a brief minute, left him uncertain he was in the proper place.
Should he have stayed in Santa Fe? Was he doing the right thing with his life?
He brushed these thoughts away. At midnight, he returned to the Sheriff’s
Office, his shift over.
Dale sauntered in, where Agnes Peralta, the mature, brown-haired
night secretary, waited to close up and go home.
“Hi, Dale. How about this rain?”
“Good stuff, Agnes,”
he answered. “Any messages for me?”
She stood up from the
desk and got her purse from a drawer. “Uh-uh. It’s been quiet tonight. The heat
has slowed things down, but it will be jumping again once people get some
moisture in their bones. Anything to report?”
He shook his head.
“No. I’ll see you to your car.”
Agnes locked up,
sprinted for her car, and heaved herself in. With a wave to him, she left. Odd
that folks waited, anxious for rain, then acted like a drop or two would melt
them like sugar.
He got in his car and
headed down Main Street toward home. At Apache, he was cut off by a speeding
car and became instantly angry. He took off after them, noting the number on
the Texas plate, a yellow Ford with a dented left rear fender. If he’d been in
the squad car, he could have turned on the lights and siren and scared the hell
out of the fool. At the next corner, he pulled in front of the Ford and got
out, rose to his full height, and strolled toward the car, his hand on his
pistol butt. He never knew what might happen.
He made a circular
motion with his other hand, and the woman lowered the window. Young, black hair,
dark eyes, fear in her face.
He leaned down. “Going
mighty fast, ma’am. You almost hit me.”
The rear seat was
empty, and he glanced at her. “Let me see your license and registration,
please.”
She rummaged in her
purse then in the glove compartment and handed him those. Texas, again. Elena
Chavez, age twenty-five, no restrictions, about to expire. Registration was current.
He gave them back to
her. “You have your insurance card?”
She handed him a
ragged piece of paper, also about to expire. “Have you been drinking?”
“No, I haven’t,” she
murmured, her sultry, smoky voice inviting.
Practiced, he decided
and regarded her with suspicion. “I’ll take your word for it. You’re headed for
trouble if you don’t slow down.”
She smiled. “I got
lost.”
Doubtful. “Are you living around here?”
“On Second Street. In
the apartments.”
Tired, Dale worked to
contain his irritation. “Well, can you make it the three blocks without tearing
up the road?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “I’ll let it go this time, but if I
catch you racing around town again, you’re gonna face a big ticket. And get
your paperwork in order. Your documents are about to expire.”
Her voice curled
around him. “I’m sorry, Officer.”
He regarded her for
another moment. White blouse, cut low, lush breasts. “Okay.”
At his car, he shook
the rain off his hat, and got in. As he approached the corner, she sped away.
Damn,
an outlaw! He had an
impulse to chase after her and drag her off to jail. He saw his hands on her,
those frightened eyes, her dark hair tumbling, and went on home. He would not
forget Elena Chavez. She would turn up again, and he would be on guard.
***
